Endorsements
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For county corner: Duane Northrup
Monday, October 20, 2008
This year's contest for Champaign County coroner – yes, for some reason an office that conducts death investigations is still an elected position – pits the same candidates who ran four years ago. Just as we stated in 2004, we believe both candidates could be good coroners.
But as we argued then, Republican Duane Northrup, who had been a deputy coroner, had an advantage in experience over Democrat Mark Medlyn. This year that advantage is even greater. That's why we support Northrup.
Vote 'yes' on sales tax for school buildings
Sunday, October 19, 2008
After years of state neglect, Champaign County needs a fair, systematic way to undertake capital improvements in its schools. A 1 percent increase in the countywide sales tax will do it.
Nearly every school building in Champaign County has problems. Many have leaky roofs. Others need replacement boilers or entire HVAC systems. Nearly every school in the county could benefit from energy conservation measures. Some buildings are so old, so inefficient, so impossible to bring up to today's needs and standards that they need to be replaced. Five schools in Champaign-Urbana, for example, were built before World War I.
For county recorder: Barb Frasca
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Barb Frasca was elected to the low-visibility office of Champaign County recorder of deeds in 1996 and in the interim she's modernized the office so much that it is not only more efficient but also it actually helps subsidize the rest of county government.
Frasca has put virtually all of the office's records online (accessible for a fee by remote users but free of charge to those using public terminals inside the office). And by the end of the year she plans to have all of the county's plat maps, some dating back to the 1830s, on her office Web site.
For state's attorney: Julia Rietz
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Four years ago Champaign County voters made a significant break with tradition, electing a woman and a Democrat as their chief county prosecutor. It was a reasonable, thoughtful decision at the time – turning out an intemperate incumbent, John Piland, and replacing him with Julia Rietz.
We believe that decision four years ago has been vindicated by the generally positive, attentive administration of Rietz.
Vote 'yes' on tax increase for forest preserve district
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
The board of the Champaign County Forest Preserve District has never before asked voters to approve a property tax increase. It is requesting a 2 cents per $100 of assessed valuation increase to help acquire property, repair and replace infrastructure and plan for development of a long-awaited trail between Urbana and Danville.
One tax increase question before Champaign County voters on Nov. 4 is an easy one to comprehend and decide: it would give the traditionally conservative Champaign County Forest Preserve District (which has never asked for a property tax increase in its 60-year history) the power to raise its property tax rate by 2 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
In 103rd House District: Naomi Jakobsson
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Voters in Champaign-Urbana should return state Rep. Naomi Jakobsson to the Illinois House.
We don't always agree with her but we believe voters in the 103rd House District would be better off with Naomi Jakobsson back in the House for two more years. Her knowledge of the issues before the Legislature, her experience and her forthrightness make her vastly superior to her challenger, 21-year-old Frank Calabrese, a University of Illinois student. Calabrese has been unable to offer a good reason for voters to choose him, other than he's not a Democrat. Again this year we find ourselves disappointed with the electoral option presented by the Republican Party.
In 104th House District: Rep. Bill Black
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Voters in the 104th District, which includes parts of Vermilion and Champaign counties, should return Bill Black to the Illinois House.
It's been long time since state Rep. Bill Black has had the kind of competitive race for re-election he has this year. His opponent, Democrat Lori DeYoung, is an engaging, energetic and thoughtful candidate. But it wouldn't make sense for voters to dismiss Black, who not only is a floor spokesman for his party and represents his constituents well but also somehow manages to win favors for his district even as he's bashing the Democratic majority in the House.
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